Disabled pensioners and carers

Attendance Allowance
Phone 0800 88 22 00

You can claim Attendance Allowance if you are aged 65 or over
and have needed help looking after yourself for at least six months. If
you are under 65, you may be able to claim Disability Living Allowance.

It is an allowance you can get to help you with personal care
- such as getting in and out of bed, or eating. Or you may need someone
to help you prevent accidents in the home.

You can get help filling in your claim form by calling 0800 88
22 00. The line is open from 8.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday
and from 9am to 1pm on Saturday. (A textphone service is also available
for people who have difficulties with their hearing or speech on 0800
24 33 55.)

You can also call this number for general information on disability benefits.

Carer's Allowance
Phone 01253 856 123

If you are looking after a severely disabled person
for at least 35 hours a week, you could get Carer's Allowance.

Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit

Child Tax Credit (CTC) and Working Tax Credit (WTC) were introduced in
April 2003. CTC supports families who have at least one child, whether
or not the adults in the family are at work. It is paid on top of Child
Benefit.

WTC provides support for working people on low incomes, including people
who do not have children.

Find out more about Tax Credits on the Inland
Revenue website or phone the Tax Credits Helpline on 0845 300 3900.

You may be entitled to a War Disablement Pension if you have been injured
or disabled during a time of war, or as a result of your service
in Her Majesty's Armed Forces.

You may be able to receive a range of other allowances with the basic
War Disablement Pension if you meet certain conditions (for example, care
or mobility needs).

Find
out more about War Disablement Pensions and how to claim on the Veterans
Agency website or phone the Veterans Agency Freeline on 0800 169
22 77. (A textphone service is available for people who have
difficulties with their hearing or speech on 0800 169 34 58.)
The lines are open from 8.15am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday and from
8.15am to 4.30pm on Friday. If you are calling from overseas, dial +44
1253 866043.

The Veterans Agency uses the term 'veteran' to mean anyone who
has served in Her Majesty's Armed Forces - regardless of whether
they served in war or during peacetime, or were volunteers, Reservists
or National Servicemen.

As well as running the War Pensions Scheme, the Veterans Agency also
provides information and advice on any issues of concern to veterans and
their families through its free helpline.

On top of the help the Government provides, there are many long-standing
ex-service charities that provide help for veterans. Some charities have
a national network of voluntary welfare caseworkers, others specialise
in areas such as employment, housing and helping veterans with mental
or physical disabilities.

The Veterans Agency can also provide help and advice on a wide range
of subjects and can send your enquiries to the appropriate organisation.

If you are a veteran, or a relative of a veteran, and you need help,
you can phone the Veterans Agency's free helpline on 0800 169
22 77. (A textphone service is available for people who have
difficulties with their hearing or speech on 0800 169 34 58.)
The lines are open from 8.15am to 5.15pm, Monday to Thursday and from
8.15am to 4.30pm on Friday. If you are calling from overseas, dial +44
1253 866043.

If your husband's or wife's death was as a result of service in Her Majesty's
Armed Forces or a war, you may qualify for a War Widows' or Widowers'
Pension under the War Pensions Scheme. You may also be able to get extra
allowances or help with funeral costs.